Letter: Stick to the issues

William KerrPonte Vedra Beach

Published Friday, August 11, 2006

Editor: Over the past few days, I have heard from some of my friends how the race for the St. Johns County Board of Commissioners, District Four, has become much more than a discussion of issues. I'm told that in various Republican forums, incumbent Commissioner Maguire is accusing fellow Republican, Tom Manuel, of being, in so many words, a closet Democrat. Why? Because it is said that the county's Democrats were all going to vote for Mr. Manuel.

I've had the opportunity to listen to and speak with Mr. Manuel concerning his candidacy. Take it from someone who was a Republican for 47 years, albeit a moderate on most issues except the budget and national defense, Mr. Manuel is definitely a dedicated Republican. His primary aim in running for office, as I interpret it, is to create change in a Board of County Commissioners that, by all appearances marches lockstep to the drumbeat of developers.

Commissioner Maguire should understand that many of the Democrats I know who would have voted in the primary election before so rudely disenfranchised would have voted, not so much for Mr. Manuel, but against Commissioner Maguire based on what they perceive he has done for and to the people of St. Johns County over the past four years.

Come out fighting, gentlemen, but do so on the issues important to the electorate, not with persona jabs at the other contender.